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The Grand Lexicon
The Words you need to know
Sound Smarter - Be Smarter
(famous since 2000)

A

abate (abating) - to reduce in amount, degree or intensity; lessen; law: to make void

Abderian - given to excessive laughter; inclined to foolish or incessant merriment

abdicate - to relinquish power or authority, formally

aberration - a deviation from the normal or expected course; a defect of focus, such as blurring in an image

abet (abetting) - to encourage or assist, especially in wrong doing

abetting - to encourage or assist, especially in wrong doing

abeyance - the condition of being temporarily set aside; suspension

abhorrent - a feeling of repugnance or loathing

abject (abjectly) - contemptible; despicable; miserable

abode - a dwelling place; home; a past tense and a past participle of abide

abolition (abolitionist) - the act of abolishing; an advocate of the abolition of slavery

abominable - utterly detestable; loathsome

abridge - to reduce the length; to cut short; curtail

abrogate (abrogation) - to abolish or annul, especially by authority

abscond - to leave secretly and hide, often to avoid the law

abstemious - eating and drinking in moderation; characterized by abstinence or moderation

abstinence (abstention) - deliberate self-restraint

abstract - considered apart from concrete existence; difficult to understand; abstruse

abstruse - difficult to understand

absurd - ridiculously incongruous or nonsensical

abysmal - very profound; limitless; very bad

abyss - a deep unfathomable chasm; an immeasurable void; the primeval chaos; hell

academia - the academic life or environment

accentuate - to stress; accent

acclamation - a show of enthusiastic approval; an oral vote, especially a vote of approval taken without formal ballot

acclimated - adapt; to make or become accustomed to a new environment or situation

accolade (accolades) - high praise; a special acknowledgment or award

accord - to cause to conform or agree; bring into harmony; to grant, especially as being due or appropriate; accorded the President the proper deference; to bestow upon

accost (accosted) - to approach and speak in an aggressive or hostile manner

accouterment - an accessory item of equipment or dress; often used in the plural; military equipment other than uniforms and weapons

accrue - to increase or accumulate over time; to come to one as a gain

acculturation - the modification of the culture of a group or individual by contact with a different culture

Achilles heel - a small but fatal weakness

acolyte - a devoted follower; one who assists the celebrant in the performance of liturgical rites

acquiesce (acquiescence) (acquiescent) - to consent or comply without protest

acrimony (acrimonious) - bitter, ill-natured animosity, especially in speech or behavior

acronym - a word formed from the initial letters of a name

actuary - a statistician who computes insurance risks and premiums

acumen - accuracy and keenness of judgment or insight

acute - extreme; crucial; having a sharp point; keenly perceptive or discerning; having a rapid onset

ad hoc - for only the specific case or situation at hand; improvised; impromptu

adamant - impervious to pleas or reason; unyielding

adhere (adherence) - to stick fast, as by suction or glue; to be a devoted follower

adieu - farewell

adjudicated - to hear and settle a case by judicial procedure

adjunct - one attached to another in a dependent or subordinate position

adjuration (adjuratory) - an earnest, solemn appeal

adjure (adjuration) - to command or enjoin solemnly as under oath

adjutant - an assistant; a staff officer who helps a commanding officer with administration

admissible - that can be accepted; allowable; worthy of admission as in evidence

admonition (admonish) - to reprove gently but earnestly; to warn; caution; to remind of an obligation

adroit (adroitly) (adroitness) - proficient under pressing conditions; dexterous; deft

adulation - to praise or admire excessively

adversary (adversarial) - an opponent; enemy

advocacy - the act of arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea or policy

advocate - to speak, plead or argue in favor of; one that pleads in another’s behalf; one that argues for a cause; a lawyer

aesthetic - of or concerning the appreciation of beauty

affectation - behavior that is assumed rather than natural; a show; pretense

affirm (affirmation) - to declare firmly; maintain to be true; to uphold; confirm

affront - to insult intentionally; to confront; an insult

aficionado - a fan; a devotee

aftermath - a consequence, especially of a disaster or misfortune; a second crop in the same season

Agathism - from the Greek, agatho- (good), is the doctrine that the ultimate end of all things is good

agenda - a list or program of things to be done or considered

aggregate (aggregation) - amounting to a whole; the sum total of parts

agnostic - one who believes that there can be no proof of the existence of God but does not deny the possibility that God exists

agog - highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, anticipation

agrarian - relating to land and its ownership; relating to agriculture; one who favors equal distribution of land

ahem - used to attract attention or to express doubt or warning

aiding and abetting - an accomplice

akin - similar in quality or character; of the same kin; related by blood

alabaster - a translucent white or tinted gypsum used especially for carving

alacrity - cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness; celerity; liveliness or briskness

albatross - a constant worrisome burden; any of several web-footed sea birds

albedo - the reflecting power of a surface, as of a planet or a color

alchemy - a power or process of transforming something common into something special

algorithm - mathematics; step by step problem solving procedure

alienable - transferable to the ownership of another

alimentary - relating to food, nutrition or digestion; providing nourishment

alleged (allegedly) - not proven; supposed; to assert to be true, usually without offering proof

alliteration - the repetition of the same consonant sounds or of different vowel sounds at beginning of words or stressed syllable

allude - to make an indirect reference

allure - enticement; to attract with something desirable

alms - money or goods given as charity to the poor

aloof - distant or reserved

altruism (altruistic) - unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness; grace, kindness, benevolence

amalgamate (amalgamation) - untie; to form into an integrated whole

ambiance - the special atmosphere of a particular environment

ambiguous (ambiguity) - open to more than one interpretation; doubtful or uncertain

ambivalence (ambivalent) - the coexistence of opposing feelings toward a person, object or idea

ambulatory - capable of walking; not bed ridden

ameliorate - improve; to make or become better

amenable - obedient; compliant; responsible, accountable

amenity (amenities) - something that contributes to comfort; pleasantness; agreeableness; social courtesies; pleasantries

amicus curiae - a party that is not involved in a particular litigation but that is allowed by the court to advise it on a matter of law directly affecting the litigation

amorous - showing or expressing love

amorphous - lacking definite organization or form

amortize - to liquidate by installment payments

anachronistic (anachronism) - representation of something as existing or happening outside its proper historical or chronological order

analogy - similarity in some respects between things otherwise dissimilar; an inference that similar things must be similar in other ways

analytic - expert in or using analysis, especially in thinking; reasoning or action from a perception of the parts and interrelations of a subject

androgynous - biology having both male and female characteristics; hermaphroditic; neither distinguishably male or female

android (humanoid) - an automation created from biological materials and resembling a human being

anecdote - a short account of an interesting or humorous incident

Anglicize - to make or become English

angst - a feeling of anxiety

animated - having life; alive; filled with activity, vigor, or spirit; lively

annihilate - to destroy completely

annotate (annotation) - to furnish (a literary work) with critical commentary or explanatory notes

anomaly - deviation from the normal order, form or rule; one that is peculiar, abnormal or difficult to classify

anonymity - having an unknown or unacknowledged name, authorship or agency

antecedent - one that precedes; going before; ancestors; word, phrase or clause to which a pronoun refers

anthropomorphism (anthropomorphize) - attribution of human characteristics to non human beings or objects

antibody - a protein produced in the blood as an immune response to a specific antigen

antipathy - opposite feeling; a strong aversion or repugnance

antipodes - places at opposite sides of world; opposites: two points, places, or things that are diametrically opposite each other

antithesis (antithetical) - direct contrast, opposition; the direct opposite

anxious - uneasy and apprehensive; worried

apartheid - a formally official policy of racial segregation practiced in The Republic of South Africa

apathy - lack of interest or concern, especially in important matters; lack of emotion; impassiveness

aperture - an opening, such as a hole, gap, or slit; a device that controls amount of light admitted

apex - the highest point; peak

apocalypse (apocalyptic) - involving or portending widespread devastation or ultimate doom

apogee - the farthest or highest point the point in the orbit of the moon or of an artificial satellite most distant from the center of the earth

apolitical - having no interest in politics; politically unimportant

apoplexy (apoplectic) - a fit of extreme anger or rage; sudden impairment of neurological functions, cerebral hemorrhage a stroke

apothecary - a druggist; pharmacist

appall (appalled) - to fill with horror or dismay

apparition - a ghostly figure; a specter; a sudden or unusual sight

appease - to satisfy or relieve; to pacify by granting concessions

append - to add as a supplement - having sense perception; conscious; experiencing sensation

applicable - appropriate; that can be applied

apprehend (apprehension) - to arrest; to understand; to perceive; to anticipate with anxiety; dread

approbation - approval; praise

apropos - appropriate; pertinent; opportunely

arbiter - one having the power to judge or decide

arcane - esoteric; know only to a few

archipelago - a large group of islands; a sea containing a large group of islands

archive (archives) - a place or collection containing records, documents, or other materials of historical interest

ardent - characterized by warmth of feeling; passionate; glowing; shining

arduous - strenuous; difficult; full of hardship

argues - reason against; to argue

armada - a fleet of warships; a large group of moving things

Armageddon - a decisive or catastrophic conflict; the scene of a final battle between the forces of good and evil, prophesied to occur at the end of the world

arrogant - unpleasantly or disdainfully self-important

arsenal - a stock or supply, especially of weapons; a place for the storage, manufacture or repair of arms and ammunition

articulate - endowed with speech; using or characterized by clear expressive language; to pronounce distinctly

ascertain - to discover through investigation

aspersion - a slanderous remark

aspiration - a desire for achievement; an object of such desire; the removal of fluids or gases from the body by suction

aspire - to have great ambition; desire

assertion - a positive, often unsupported declaration

assiduous (assiduously) - diligent; constant in application or attention

assimilate (assimilation) - to make or become similar; to take in, digest and transform into living tissue; to take in and understand

astigmatism - a refractive defect of a lens, especially of the eye, that prevents focusing of sharp, distinct images

astonish (astonishing) - to fill with sudden wonder or amazement

astraphobia - an abnormal fear of lightning and thunder

astringent - drug; medicine tending to draw together or constrict living tissues; styptic; sharp; harsh

astute - having or showing keen judgment; shrewd; having insight or acumen; perceptive

asymmetric (asymmetry) (asymmetrical) - having no balance or symmetry not symmetrical

atavism (atavistic) - the reappearance of a characteristic in an organism after several generations of absence

atheist - disbelief in or denial of existence of God

atrocious - extremely evil, savage or cruel; exceptionally bad; abominable

atrocity - atrocious state, quality or behavior; an appalling act or object; an act of vicious cruelty, especially about killing unarmed people

atrophy (atrophied) - a wasting or shrinking of a bodily organ, tissue or part; to waste or cause to waste away

attenuate (attenuated) - to make or become thin or small; to weaken; to rarefy or dilute

attest - to affirm to be correct, true or genuine

attitudinize - to assume an affected attitude; posture

attribute (attribution) - to relate to a particular cause or source; ascribe; attributed their failure to a lack of preparation; to regard as the work of a specified agent, place, or time

atypical - not typical

au revoir - farewell; good bye

audacious (audacity) - fearlessly, often recklessly daring; bold; adventurous, brave; unrestrained by convention or propriety; insolent; spirited and original

augment (augmentation) - to increase; to make or become greater in size, extent or quantity

aura - a distinctive quality that seems to surround a person

aural - of or perceived by the ear; of or relating to an aura

auspice (auspices) - protection or support, patronage; a sign, portent or omen

auspicious - favorable; successful; prosperous

austere (austerity) - severe or stern in disposition or appearance; somber and grave: the austere figure of a Puritan minister; strict or severe in discipline; ascetic

autocracy (autocratic) - government by a single person having unlimited power

autonomy (autonomous) - not controlled by others; independent; self governing

avail - to be of use or advantage; help; benefit

avant guard - a group active in the invention and application of new techniques in a given field, especially in the arts

avarice - extreme desire for wealth; greed

averse - strongly disinclined; reluctant

avid - having an ardent desire or craving; eager; passionate; enthusiastic

avow - to acknowledge openly; confess; to assist

awesome - inspiring awe; superb; outstanding

awry - amiss; wrong; askew

axiom - a principle that is accepted as truth without proof; postulate; a self evident or universally recognized truth

bamboozle - to trick or deceive; hoodwink

banal - completely ordinary and commonplace

bane - fatal injury or ruin; a deadly poison

banter - fun, joke, jest

barnstorm - to travel about making political speeches, giving lectures or presenting plays

barrister - a British lawyer who argues cases in the superior courts

bastion - stronghold; a projecting part of a fortification; a bulwark

battalion - an army unit typically consisting of a headquarters and two or more companies, batteries, or similar subunits; a large body of organized troops

bedlam - a scene of wild uproar and confusion; an insane asylum

befuddle - perplex; to confuse or muddle; to stupefy

beguile - to deceive by guile; to distract; divert; to pass time pleasantly; to amuse or delight

behemoth - something enormous in size or power; a huge animal described in the Bible

behoove - to be necessary or proper for

belabor - to harp on; to attack with blows

belied - to misrepresent or disguise; to show to be false

bellicose - warlike in manner; pugnacious; belligerent

belligerent - inclined or eager to fight; hostile or aggressive; of, pertaining to, or engaged in warfare

bellwether - one that is a leader or a leading indicator of future trends

benevolent - having or showing benevolence

berate (berating) - to scold angrily and at length

bespeak - to be or give a sign of; indicate; to foretell; to engage, hire or order in advance

bestowed - to present as a gift or honor, confer

beta - test; the second letter of the Greek alphabet

bide (bided) - to remain; stay; to wait; tarry; to await

bifurcate (bifurcation) - to divide or separate into two parts or branches

bilge - stupid talk or writing; nonsense

bill of attainder - a legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial

biometrics - the statistical study of biological phenomena; the measurement of physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, DNA, or retinal patterns, for use in verifying the identity of individuals

bipartisan - supported by members of two parties, especially two major political parties

bizarre - strikingly unconventional in style or appearance; odd

blackmail - extortion by the threat of exposing something criminal or discreditable

blatherskite - a person given to voluble, empty talk

blithely - carefree and lighthearted

blogisphere - the totality of blogs, especially the unique jargons, cultures and shared interests created by their interconnection

blooter - a fool; an oaf; a blunderer

bloviate - to speak pompously

bode (bodes) - to be an omen of

bogus - fake; counterfeit

boilerplate - standard formulations uniformly found in certain types of legal documents or news stories

boisterous - rough and stormy ; loud, noisy and unrestrained

bombinate - to buzz, hum, or drone

bona fide - made with earnest intent; sincere; real

boondoggle - unnecessary wasteful and often unproductive work

borborygmus - stomach rumble; the rumbling sounds made by the movement of gases in the stomach and intestine

boycott - to abstain from buying or dealing with as a protest

bravado - defiant or swaggering behavior; strove to prevent our courage from turning into bravado; a pretense of courage; a false show of bravery

bribe (bribery) - something such as money or a favor; offered or given to induce or influence a person to act dishonestly

brusque - abrupt and curt in manner or speech

bully pulpit - a public office of sufficiently high rank that it provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter

bumptious - pushy; crude or loudly assertive

buoyant - the upward force a fluid exerts on an object less dense than itself; the tendency to float; ability to bounce back from setbacks

bureaucracy - an unwieldy administrative system; administration of a government chiefly through bureaus and departments staffed with nonelected officials

buycott - a buycott is the opposite of a boycott; that is, an active campaign to buy the products or services of a particular company or country

byronic - one who is melancholic, passionate, and melodramatic, and disregards societal norms

cabal - conspiratorial group; a secret plot

cacography - the possession of poor spelling skills; bad handwriting

cacophony - jarring, discordant sound; dissonance

cadence - balanced, rhythmic flow as of poetry; vocal inflection or modulation; the beat of movement, as in marching; music a progression of chords cadre - A nucleus of trained personnel around which a larger organization can be built & trained; zealots active in advancing the interests of a revolutionary party

caduceus - Greek mythology a winged staff with two serpents wrapped around it; symbol for medical profession

cahoots - secret partnership

cajole (cajoling) - to wheedle, to persuade or attempt to persuade or obtain by flattery gentle pleading or guile or insincere language

calamity - a disaster; dire distress

caldron - a situation of seething unrest; a large kettle or vat

caliber - degree of worth; the diameter of the inside of a round cylinder

callous (callously) - having callouses; toughened; insensitive

calumny - a false statement maliciously made to injure another’s reputation

cameo - a brief but dramatic appearance of a prominent actor; a gem or medallion with a design cut in raised relief

camouflage - a means of concealment or a disguise that creates the effect of being part of the natural surroundings

canard - an unfounded or false, deliberately misleading story

candid - free from prejudice; impartial; direct and frank; straightforward

candor - frankness or sincerity of expression

cantankerous - ill-tempered and quarrelsome; disagreeable

capacity - the ability to learn or retain knowledge; the maximum amount that can be contained; the ability to receive, hold or absorb

capital - a town or a city; wealth in the form of money or property

capitol - the building in which the legislature meets

capitulate (capitulation) - acquiesce; to give up all resistance; to surrender under specific condition

capricious (capriciously) - impulsive and unpredictable

caricature - a representation, especially pictorial, in which the subject’s distinctive features or peculiarities are exaggerated for comic effect

carnage - massive slaughter or bloodshed

carouse (carousing) - boisterous, drunken merrymaking; to drink excessively; to engage in drunken revelry

carp (carping) - to find fault and complain fretfully

carpetbagger - a northerner who went to the south after the Civil War for political or financial advantage

carte blanche - unrestricted power to act at one's own discretion; unconditional authority

cartel - a monopolistic combination of independent business organizations

cartography (cartographer) - the making of maps or charts

castigate (castigating)- to chastise or criticize severely

cataclysm (cataclysmic) - a violent and sudden, usually destructive

catalyst - an agent of change; chemistry substance that modifies and especially increases the rate of reaction without being consumed in the process

categorical (categorically) - absolute - being without exception or qualification

catharsis (cathartic) - medicinal; a purging of emotions - a medicinal purgation

cavalier - carefree and nonchalant; a gallant gentleman

caveat - a warning or caution

caveat emptor - let the buyer beware; the buyer alone is responsible for assessing the quality of a purchase before buying

cavil (caviler) - to find fault unnecessarily; quibble

centrist - the political philosophy of avoiding the extremes of right and left by taking a moderate position

centrist - one who takes a position in the political center; a moderate

cerebral - intellectual rather than emotional; of the brain or cerebrum

c'est la vie - such is life

chagrin - a keen feeling of mental unease, as of annoyance or embarrassment, caused by failure, disappointment, or a disconcerting event

chameleon - a changeable, fickle, or inconstant person

channeling - the act or practice of serving as a medium through which a spirit guide purportedly communicates with living persons

charade - a pretense; sham; a game in which words or phrases are represented in pantomime until guessed by other players

charisma (charismatic) - a personal quality attributed to those who arose fervent popular devotion and enthusiasm

charlatan - a person who makes elaborate and fraudulent claims to skill or knowledge

chasm - a great disparity, as of opinion or interests; a deep opening in the earth; gorge

chicanery - verbal deception by trickery or sophistry; especially in legal quibbling; dishonest or sharp practice

chide - to scold mildly; reprimand

chivalry (chivalrous) - the medieval system of knighthood; qualities such as bravery, honor and gallantry toward woman

chortling - a joyful laugh or chuckle

chronic - of long duration; continuing or lingering

chronicle - a chronological account of historical events

chronology - the determination of dates and sequence of events; the arrangement of events in time

churlish - boorish; rude

chutzpah - gall, brazen nerve, effrontery, sheer guts plus arrogance

circa - on or about

circadian rhythm - biology; of or exhibiting approximately 24-hour periodicity

circumspect - heedful of potential consequences

citadel - a stronghold; a fortress in a commanding position or near a city

civil - of or relating to a citizen or citizens; of ordinary community life as distinguished fro the military or the ecclesiastical

clairvoyant - the supposed power to see objects or events that can not be perceived by the senses

clandescent (clandestine) - kept or done in secret

cliché - a trite expression or idea

cloture vote - a parliamentary procedure by which debate is ended and an immediate vote is taken

coalesce (coalescing) - to grow together; fuse; to come together so as to form one whole; unite

coalition - an alliance or union, especially a temporary one

cobble (cobbled) - to make or mend; to put together clumsily

coddle - to treat indulgently; baby; to cook in water just below the boiling point

codify (codified) - to arrange or systematize

codswallop - nonsensical talk or writing

coerce (coercion) (coerced) - to force to act or think in a certain way; compel; to dominate, restrain or control forcible

coffers (coffer) - financial resources; a strongbox; funds

cogent (cogently) - forcefully convincing; to force

cognition - the mental process or faculty of knowing; that which comes to be known

cognitive (cognition) - the mental process or faculty of knowing

cognizance (cognizant) - conscience knowledge or recognition; awareness

coherence - to stick or hold together; to be logically connected

cohort - a group or a band of people; a companion or associate

coiffe - arrange attractively

collaborate - to work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort; to cooperate treasonably, as with an enemy occupation force in one's country

collectivist - the principles or system of ownership and control of the means of production and distribution by the people collectively

colloquial (colloquialism) - characteristic of or appropriate to informal speech or writing

colloquium (colloquia) - an informal conference; an academic seminar

comity - civility; courtesy; friendly

commemorate - to honor the memory of

commiserate - to feel or express sympathy

compatriot - a person from one’s own country

compel (compelling) - to force, constrain; urgently requiring attention; drivingly forceful

compensatory - to make up for; offset; counterbalance; reimburse; to make payment to

competent - properly or well qualified; adequate for the purpose; legally qualified to perform an act

complacent - contented self satisfaction; lack of concern

complement - something that completes or makes up a whole or brings to perfection; an angle related to another so that the sum of their measures is 90°

compliance - a disposition or tendency to yield to others; the act of complying with a wish, request or demand

complicit - choosing to be involved in an illegal or questionable act, especially with others; having complicity

complicity - involvement as an accomplice in a questionable act or a crime

compliment - an expression of praise or admiration

comport (comported) - to agree; harmonize; to conduct oneself in a particular manner

compromise (compromised) - a settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions; to expose danger, suspicion or disrepute

concept - a general idea derived from specific instances; a thought or notion; a plan

concerted - planned or accomplished together

concierge - a staff member of a hotel or apartment complex, especially in France who assists guests or residents

conciliate (conciliatory) - to overcome the distrust of; appease; reconcile; to make compatible

conclave - a secret meeting, especially one in which the cardinals of the Catholic Church meet to elect a pope

concubine - a woman who cohabits with a man

concur (concurrence) - to agree; to act together; to occur at the same time

concurrent - to occur at the same time; to act together

condescend (condescending) - to deal with people in a patronizing manner; to descend to the level of one considered inferior

condole - to express sympathy or sorrow

condone - without protest or censure; to overlook, forgive or disregard

conduit - a means of passing or transmitting; a pipe or channel for conveying fluids; a tube or duct for enclosing electric wires or cables

confiscate (confiscatory) - to seize for the public treasury

conflagration - a large destructive fire

conflate - to bring together; meld or fuse; to combine

confluence - a flowing together of two or more streams

congeal - to coagulate; to solidify by or as if by freezing

congenital (congenitally)- existing at or before birth; constitutional; inherent

conglomerate - a corporation made of several different companies in diversified fields

congruent - agreeing; corresponding; congruous; having identical shapes so that all parts correspond

conjecture - guesswork; Inference or judgment based on inconclusive or incomplete evidence

conjure (conjurer) - to summon by magical power; to evoke

conniption - a fit of violent emotion

connive - to cooperate secretly in an illegal action; to scheme; plot; to feign ignorance of a wrong thus implying consent

connoisseur - a person of discriminating taste

connote (connotation) - to suggest or imply in addition to literal meaning

consecrate - to declare or set aside as sacred; to change (bread and wine) into the body of Jesus

consecutive - following one another without interruption

consensus - general agreement; an opinion or position reached by a group or by majority will

consequence - something that flows from an action or condition; significance; importance

conservative - favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change; traditional in style; moderate; cautious

consign (consignation) - to turn over permanently to another's charge or to a lasting condition; commit irrevocably; entrust

consortium - an association of businesses, financial institutions or investors engaging in a joint venture

constate - to ascertain; to verify; to establish; to prove

consternation - great agitation or dismay

constituent - a resident of a district represented by an elected official

consummate - to bring to completion; conclude; complete lacking nothing; to complete with first act of sexual intercourse

contaminate (contaminant) - to make impure or unclean by contact or mixture

contemplative - to consider or ponder thoughtfully; to intent or anticipate

contemporaneous (contemporaneously) - existing or happening during the same time period

contemptuous - manifesting or feeling contempt; scornful

contention - controversy, dispute

contentious - argumentative; quarrelsome

contingency - an event that may occur; possibly

contingent - liable to occur but not certain; possible; conditional

continuity - an uninterrupted succession; the state of being continuous

contraband - goods prohibited in trade

contrarian - a contrary or obstinate person; an investor who makes decisions that contradict prevailing wisdom

contrite - feeling regret and sorrow for one's sins or offenses; penitent; arising from or expressing contrition

contrite - repentant; penitent

contrive - to plan with ingenuity; devise; to invent or fabricate, especially by improvisation; to bring about or manage

contrived - not spontaneous; labored

contumacious - obstinately disobedient or rebellious; insubordinate

conundrum - a dilemma; a riddle

convalesce (convalescence) - to recuperate from an illness or injury

converse - the reverse or opposite of something; reversed in position, order or action; to engage in conversation

convey (conveyed) - to communicate; impart; law to transfer ownership of title to; to carry, transport; to transmit

conviction - a strong opinion or belief; the act of conviction or the state of being convicted

convivial - fond of social pleasures; merry; festive

convoluted - having numerous overlapping coils or folds; intricate; complex

copasetic - excellent; first rate

copious - ample; abundant

copula (copulative) - serving to connect coordinate words or clauses

copulate - coupled; joined; to engage in coitus or sexual intercourse

cornpone - regional language; folksy and homespun, as in manner or speech

cornucopia - an abundance; horn of plenty; a cone-shaped container overflowing with fruit, flowers and grain

corollary - result; a natural consequence or effect; a proposition that follows with little or no proof required from one already proven

corpus - a large collection of specialized writings; anatomy the main part of a bodily structure or organ

corral - to seize or procure; an enclosure for confining livestock

correlation - a complimentary, parallel or reciprocal relationship to something

corroborate - to strengthen or support

cosset (cosseting) - to pamper; a pet, especially a pet lamb

couillon- a stupid or silly person; a dolt

counterintuitive - contrary to what intuition or common sense would indicate

coup d’etat - the sudden overthrow of a government by a usually small group of persons

couture - the business of designing, making and selling highly fashionable clothing for woman

covenant - a formal binding agreement; compact; contract; agree

covert - concealed, hidden or secret

cower - to cringe in fear

crapulous - sickness caused by excessive eating or drinking; excessive indulgence; intemperance

credibility - believable; plausible; trustworthy; reliable

credulous - gullible; disposed to believe too readily

crescendo - a steady increase in intensity

cretin - a stupid, vulgar, or insensitive person

criteria (criterion) - a standard or test upon which a standard can be based

critical mass - the minimum amount (of something) required to start or maintain a venture; the smallest mass of a fissionable material that will sustain a nuclear chain reaction at a constant level

cronyism - favoritism shown to old friends without regard to their qualifications

crux - the central or critical point; a puzzling problem

cudgel - a stout stick carried by peasants during the Middle Ages

cullet - glass to be recycled; broken or waste glass returned for recycling

culminate (culmination) - to reach the highest point or degree; to end

culpable (culpability) - deserving of blame

curmudgeon - a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person

curriculum - the courses of study offered by an educational institution

cynic (cynicism) - a person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness

czar - an autocrat; an official having special authority

dastardly - a sneaking malicious coward

daunting (daunt) - to intimidate or discourage

dawdle - to take more time than necessary; to waste time; idle

dazzle - to dim the vision of, especially to blind with intense light; to amaze or bewilder with spectacular display

de rigueur - socially obligatory; necessary according to etiquette, protocol or fashion; of rigor; of strictness

de facto - in reality or fact; actually

dearth - lack; a scarce supply

death knell - something that heralds death or destruction; an omen of death or destruction; a bell rung to announce a death

debacle - a sudden disastrous collapse, downfall or defeat

debilitate (debilitating) - to sap from the strength of; enervate

debonair - suave; urbane; carefree; jaunty

debrief (debriefing) - to question to obtain knowledge gathered, especially on a military mission

decadence - a process, condition, or period of deterioration or decline, as in morals or art; decay

decadent - a person in a condition or process of mental or moral decay

decimate - to destroy or kill a large part of; to inflict great damage on; to reduce markedly in amount

declare (declarative) - to make known formally, officially or authoritatively; to reveal or show; to proclaim one’s support or opinion

decorum - appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety; artistic or literary appropriateness

decry - to condemn openly; to depreciate (currency, for example) by official proclamation or by rumor

deduction - subtraction; the process of reasoning in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises

deductive reasoning - reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect); eliminating what doesn't work to figure out what does work

defame (defamation) - to damage the reputation or the good name of by slander or libel

defenestrate - throw somebody or something out of window; to throw something or somebody out of a window

deference- submission or courteous yielding to the opinion, wishes, or judgment of another

definitive (definitively) - precisely defined or explicit; being a final settlement; conclusion; authoritative and complete

deft (deftly) (deftness) (deftest) - skillful; adroit

degradation - to reduce in rank or status; to dishonor or disgrace

deify (deified) - to make a God of; to worship

deign - to consider appropriate to ones dignity

deleterious - harmful; injurious

deliberate (deliberation) - intentional; done with full consciousness of the effect; careful discussion and consideration

delineate (delineation) - to draw or trace the outline; to depict, describe

delusion (delusional) - a false belief or opinion; the act of deluding or state of being deluded

demagogue (demagogy) - a leader who obtains power by appealing to the emotions and prejudices of the populace

demarcation - the setting or marking of boundaries or limits; a separation

demean - to behave in a particular manner; to debase in dignity or social standing

demographic - the statistical study of human populations

demonstrable - capable of being shown or proved

demonstrative - serving to manifest or prove; given to the open expression of emotion; grammar specifying the person or thing referred to

demur - object; to voice opposition

demure - modest in manner; reserved

denigrate - to attack the reputation of; defame

denigrating - to attack the reputation; attack

denude (denuding) - to strip of covering; make bare

deplorable - worthy of severe condemnation or reproach

deploy (deployment) - to put into use or action; to distribute persons or forces systematically or strategically

deprave (depraved) (depravation) - to debase, especially morally

deprecate (deprecating) - to express disapproval of; to belittle; depreciate

derogate (derogation) - to take away; detract; to disparage; belittle

desecrate - to violate or outrage the sacred character of (an object or place) by destructive, blasphemous, or sacrilegious action

despondent - loss of hope; dejection

despot (despotic) - tyrant; a ruler with absolute power

détente - a relaxing of tensions between nations

dexterity - skill in the use of hands or body; adroitness; mental skill or cleverness

diabolical - fiendish; wicked

dialogue - conversation between two or more people

diametrical (diametrically) - exactly opposite; contrary; of or along a diameter

diaphanous - vague or insubstantial; of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent

diatribe - a bitter, abusive denunciation

dichotomy - division into two usually contradictory parts, categories or opinions

didactic - conveying instruction; teaching some moral lesson

diffident - lacking self confidence; timid

digerati - computer experts; people who have or claim to have a sophisticated expertise in the area of computers, the Internet, and the World Wide Web

dilettante - amateur; a dabbler in an art or field of knowledge

dilute - weakened; to make thinner or weaker, as by adding a liquid such as water

diminutive - extremely small in size; tiny

din - a jumble of loud, usually discordant sounds

dipsomania - an insatiable, periodic craving for alcohol

disavow (disavowal) - to disclaim knowledge of; responsibility for or association with

discourse - verbal exchange; conversation; a formal discussion of a subject, either written or spoken

discrepancy - lack of agreement, as between facts or claims; difference

disdain - to regard or to treat with contempt

disenfranchise - to separate away from

disfranchise (disenfranchise) - to deprive of a privilege, an immunity or a right of citizenship, especially the right to vote

disheveled - to put into disarray or disorder, especially hair or clothing

disingenuous - not straightforward or candid; crafty

disparage - belittle; to speak of in a slighting way

disposition - temperament; a final settlement; a tendency or inclination; an act of disposing of something

disrepute - damage to or loss of reputation

disseminate - to distribute or spread something, especially information, widely, or become widespread

dissertation - a treatise, especially one written as a doctoral thesis

dissimulate - to disguise under a feigned appearance; disassemble

dissipate - to vanish or disappear; to breakup and drive away; to indulge in the intemperate pursuit of pleasure

dissonance - a harsh, disagreeable combination of sounds; discord; music: combination of harsh tones that suggest unrelieved tension

dissuade - To deter (a person) from a course of action or a purpose by persuasion or exhortation

distraught - deeply agitated or anxious

dither (dithering) - indecisive agitation

divulge - to make known (something secret)

docile - easily managed or taught; tractable

dogma - an authoritative principle or belief, especially one considered to be true; a corpus of doctrines set forth by a religion

dogmatic - marked by an authoritative, arrogant assertion of unproved principles

dole - to distribute, especially sparingly; charitable dispensation of goods, especially money, food or clothing

doppelganger - a ghostly double of a living person, especially one that haunts its fleshly counterpart

dormant - in a state resembling sleep; latent; temporarily inactive; suspended growth

dossier - a collection of papers giving detailed information about a particular person or subject

dote (doting) - to show excessive love or fondness

double entendre - is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase can be understood in either of two ways

doyen - a man who is the eldest or senior member of a group

doyenne - a woman who is the eldest or senior member of a group

draconian - exceedingly harsh; very severe

druthers - the right or chance to choose

dubious - fraught with uncertainty; undecided; arousing doubt; questionable

dulocracy - a government controlled by slaves

dunderhead - a dunce; a blockhead

duopoly - two sellers, many buyers

duopsony - two buyers, many sellers

duplicity (duplicitous)- deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech

dyscalculia - impairment of the ability to solve mathematical problems, usually resulting from brain dysfunction or transposing of numbers

dyslexia - a learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read or transposing of letters

e.g. - for example

ebb - the period of tide between high tide and a following low tide; a period of decline or diminution

ebullient - zestful, enthusiastic; bubbling; boiling or seeming to boil

eccentric - departing from a conventional pattern

ecclesiastical - of or relating to a church especially as an institution

echelon - a level of authority in a hierarchy; rank

eclectic - made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources

ecstatic - marked by or expressing ecstasy; being in a state of ecstasy; joyful or enraptured

edict - a proclamation issued by an authority

effectuate (effectuated) - to bring about effect

effervesce (effervescence) - to emit small bubbles of gas, as a carbonated liquid; to how high spirits or excitement

efficacious (efficacy) - producing a desired effect; effective

effigy - a likeness or image, especially a crude figure or dummy representing a hated person or group

effusion (effusive) - pouring fourth; effusing; an unrestrained outpouring of feeling

egalitarian - affirming political, economic and social equality for all

egregious - conspicuously bad or offensive

eidetic - of, relating to, or marked by extraordinarily detailed and vivid recall of visual images

elaborate - planned or executed with attention to details; intricate and rich in detail; to express at greater length

elate (elation) - to make proud or joyful

elicit - to bring out or draw out; to call forth; evoke

elite - a group or class enjoying superior intellectual, social or economical status

elitist (elitism) - the sense of entitlement or favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources

ellipse - closed plane curve consisting of all points for which the sum of the distances between a point on the curve and two fixed points (foci) is the same

eloquent - vividly or movingly expressive; characterized by persuasive, powerful discourse

emaciate (emaciated) - to make or become extremely thin, especially as a result of starvation

emanate - to come or send forth from a source; issue; stem

emancipate (emancipation) - liberate; to free from bondage, oppression or restraint

emasculate (emasculation) (emasculated) - to make weak; to castrate

embargo - a government order prohibiting the movement of merchant ships into or out of its ports

embellish - to add fictitious details to; to make beautiful, as by ornamentation; decorate

embezzle - to take for one’s own use in violation of a trust

emblem (emblematic) - an object or representation that functions as a symbol; a distinctive badge, design or device

emblematic - of, relating to, or serving as an emblem; symbolic

embolden - to foster boldness or courage

eminent (eminently) - rising above others

emissary - an agent sent on a mission to represent another

empathy (empathize) - identifying with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings and motives

empiric - one who is guided by practical experience rather than precepts or theory; an unqualified or dishonest practitioner; a charlatan

empirical - based on observation or experiment; guided by practical experience and not theory

emulate - to strive to equal or excel, especially through imitation

enable (enabler) - to supply the means, knowledge or opportunity; make able; to give legal power, capacity or sanction to

enamored - captivate; to inspire with love

encapsulate - to encase in or as if in a capsule; to express in a brief summary; epitomize

enclave - a country or part of a country lying wholly within boundaries of another country; fenced in; land lock

encompass - to enclose; to constitute or include

encumber - to weigh down; burden; to hinder or impede; to burden with legal or financial obligations

endemic - prevalent in or peculiar to a particular locality, region, or people

endogenous - produced or growing from within; originating or produced within an organism, tissue, or cell

endorphins - any of a group of peptide hormones that bind to the opiate receptors and are found manly in the brain

enervate - to weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of

enfranchised - to bestow a franchise on; to endow with the rights of citizenship, especially the right to vote

engross - to occupy exclusively; absorb; monopolize

engulf - to swallow up or overwhelm by or as if by overflowing and enclosing

enigma - one that is puzzling, ambiguous or inexplicable

enigmatic (enigma) - one that is puzzling, ambiguous or inexplicable

enjoin (enjoined) - to forbid; to direct or impose with authority and emphasis

enmesh (enmeshed) - to entangle, involve or catch as if in a mesh

enmity - deep-seeded, often mutual hatred

enthusiastic - great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause

entirety - wholeness; the entire amount or extent

entitlement - act or process of entitling; state of being entitled; government program that guarantees and provides benefits to a particular group

entourage - a group of attendants or associates

entreaty - an earnest request; plea

entrepreneur - a person who organizes, operates and assumes the risk for a business venture

enucleate - lacking a nucleus; to remove the nucleus of

enumerate (enumerated) - list; count; to name one by one; to determine the number of

enunciate - to pronounce especially with clarity; articulate

envoy - a representative of a government who is sent on a diplomatic mission; a messenger; agent

ephemeral - lasting for a markedly brief time; a markedly short-lived thing; living or lasting only for a day, as certain plants or insects do

ephemeron (ephemera) - a short-lived thing; items designed to last only for a short time, such as programs or posters

epicenter - the point of the earth’s surface directly above the focus of an earthquake

epicure (Epicurean) - a person with refined taste, especially in food; devoted to the pursuit of pleasure

epidemiology - The branch of medicine that deals with the study of the causes, distribution, and control of disease in populations

epiphany - a revelatory manifestation especially of divine being; an "a-ha" moment; a realization

epistemology - knowledge, science; theory of knowledge; the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope (limitations) of knowledge

epitaph - an inscription, as on a tombstone, in memory of a deceased person

epithet - a term, often abusive or contemptuous, used to characterize a person or thing

epitome - a typical or perfect example of its kind

eponym (eponymous) - a real or mythical person whose name is the source of the name of something, such as an era or city

equanimity - calmness; composure

equate - to make, treat or regard as equal or equivalent

equinox - either of the two times during a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and length of day and night are approximately equal equinoctial points - the vernal point is the spring and the autumnal point is the fall

equivocal - questionable or inconclusive; ambiguous

equivocate (equivocation) (equivocating) - to use ambiguous language; hedge

eremite - a recluse, especially for religious reasons

eschew - to avoid or shun

esoteric - intended for or understood by only a few; not publicly disclosed, confidential

espouse (espouses) (espoused)- to give one’s loyalty or support to; to marry

essence - intrinsic or indispensable properties that identify something; a concentrated extract that retains its fundamental properties; perfume or scent

esteem - to regard with respect

estrange (estranged) - to make hostile, unsympathetic or indifferent; alienate; treat as a stranger

estuary - the wide lower course of a river where its current is met by the tides; an inland arm of the sea that meets the mouth of the river

etc. - et cetera; and other unspecified things of the same class, and so forth

ethereal - highly refined; delicate; heavenly

ethical - being in acceptance with accepted principles that govern the conduct of a group especially a profession

ethnicity - ethnic, character, background or affiliation

ethos - the character or values peculiar to a specific person, people, culture or movement

eugenics (eugenicist) - the study of hereditary improvement of the human race by controlled selective breeding

euphemism - the substitution of an inoffensive term for one considered blunt or offensive

euphoria - a feeling of great happiness or well being

eureka - used to express triumph upon finding or discovering something

euthanasia - the act of painlessly ending the life of a person for reasons of mercy

evince (evincible) - to show or demonstrate clearly; manifest

eviscerate (eviscerated) - to take away vital or essential part of; to remove the entrails of

evoke (evocative) - to summon or call forth; elicit

exacerbate (exacerbation) - to increase the severity of something; aggravate;

exalt - to raise in rank or statue; elevate; to glorify, praise or honor; to inspire; heighten

exasperate (exasperated) - to make very angary; provoke

exceptionalism - an attitude to other countries, cultures, etc. based on the idea of being quite distinct from, and often superior to, them in vital ways

excoriate - to censure strongly; denounce; to tear or wear off the skin of

excruciate (excruciating) - to inflict severe pain on; torture; to inflict great mental distress on; intensively painful or distressing

exculpate (exculpatory) - to clear of guilt or blame

exemplar (exemplary) - one that is worthy of imitation; model; one that s typical; example

exemplify - to serve as an example; to illustrate by example

exhort (exhortation) - to urge by strong argument, admonition, advice or appeal

existential - relating to existence; based on experience

existentialism (existentialist) - a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual in a hostile or indifferent universe

exogenous - originating or produced from outside an organism, tissue, or cell

exonerate - to free from blame or responsibility

exoteric - comprehensible to or suited to the public; popular; intelligible to or intended for more than a select or initiated minority

expedient (expediently) - serving narrow or selfish interests; appropriate to a particular purpose

expeditiously - acting or done with speed and efficiently

explicit - fully and clearly expressed, defined or formulated

exponent - one that expounds, interprets or advocates; a number or a symbol placed to the right and above another number

exponentially - many times more

exposition - the systematic explanation of a subject; a discourse that conveys information about or explains a subject

expound - explain; to give a detailed statement

expropriate - to take property or money from somebody, either legally for the public good or illegally by theft or fraud

expunge - to erase or strike out

exquisite - acutely refined or discriminating; of or having great delicacy or beauty

extemporaneous - impromptu; spoken, done, carried out or performed with little or no preparation or forethought

extemporize - to do or perform something; improvise

extimacy - sharing of personal information online

extol (extolled) - to praise highly

extort (extortion) - to obtain from by coercion or intimidation as example, blackmail

extracurricular - being outside a regular course of study

extraordinary - beyond what is ordinary

extrapolate (extrapolation)- to estimate or infer unknown information by extending or projecting known information

extrovert - one who is socially outgoing and communicative

exuberance - high spirited; lively; lavish; effusive; growing abundantly

exuberant (exuberance) - high spirited; lively; lavish; effusive; growing abundantly

exult - to rejoice greatly as in triumph

fabricate - to make up in order to deceive; to construct or build; to make; create

facetious - playfully jocular; humorous

facilitate - assist; to make easy or easier

facsimile (fax) - an exact copy or reproduction; a method of transmitting images or printed matter by electronic means

fail-safe - to compensate automatically for failure; capable of compensating automatically and safely for a failure, as of a mechanism or power source

fait accompli - an accomplished deed or fact

fallacious - containing or based on a fallacy

fallacy - a false idea or notion

fanatical (fanaticism) - possessed with extreme zeal or enthusiasm

fastidious - attentive to detail; difficult to please; scrupulous, especially in matters of taste or propriety

fathom - to comprehend; a unit of measurement equal to 6 feet, primarily used to measure marine depths

faun - Roman mythology; any of a group of ritual deities represented as part man and part goat

Faustian - sells soul to the devil for power and knowledge

faux pas (fo pa) - a social blunder

feckless - ineffective; careless; irresponsible; lacking purpose or vitality; generally incompetent and ineffectual

federalist - an advocate of a strong federal government

feign (feigned) - to give false appearance; to represent falsely; pretend to

felicitous - exhibiting an agreeable manner or style; admirably suited; apt or appropriate; also, delightful

fellowship - sharing of similar interests, ideas or experiences as by, profession, religion or nationality; financial grant made to a fellow at a college or university

ferreting - to uncover and bring to light by searching

fervent - greatly emotional or zealous; ardent; extremely hot; glowing

fervid - passionate; zealous

fervor - great warmth and intensity of emotion

fey - having or displaying an otherworldly, magical, or fairylike aspect or quality; having visionary power; clairvoyant; appearing touched or crazy, as if under a spell

fiduciary - relating to a holding in trust for another; held in trust; a trustee

figment - something invented or made up

figuratively - based on figure of speech; metaphorical

finagle - to obtain or achieve something by cleverness or deviousness, especially in using words.

finite - having bounds; limited

fixation - to preoccupy obsessively; psychology to attach (oneself) to a person or thing in an immature or neurotic fashion; to make fixed or stationary

flaccid - lacking firmness, resilience or muscle tone

flagrant - conspicuously bad, offensive or reprehensible

flamboyant - highly elaborate; ornate; richly colored; resplendent; ostentatious; marked by striking audacity or verve

fleeced (fleece) - swindled; to defraud of money or property; to shear the fleece from; the coat of wool of a sheep or similar animal

flourish - thrive; to grow well or luxuriantly; to do or fare well; succeed

fluent - having facility in the use of a language; flowing or capable of flowing

fob - A small pocket at the front waistline of a man's trousers or in the front of a vest, used especially to hold a watch

foppish - excessively refined and fastidious in taste and manner

for all intents and purposes - for all practical purposes; in every practical sense

forego - to give up; relinquish; to precede as in time or place

foregone - so certain as to be known in advance

forensic - of or used in legal proceedings of formal debate

formidable - arousing fear, dread or awe; difficult to surmount

forte - something in which one excels

forthright - direct and without evasion

fortification - to strengthen physically; invigorate; to strengthen and secure militarily; to give mental or moral strength; encourage; to enrich

fortnight - a period of 14 days; two weeks

fortuitous - happening by accident or chance; unplanned

fraught - filled with specific element; charged; distressful; upsetting

frenemies - friendly competitors

fresco - the art of painting on fresh, moist plaster with pigments dissolved in water

frivolous - unworthy of serious attention; trivial; inappropriately silly; not serious or sensible in content, attitude, or behavior

frugal - practicing or marked by economy; costing little; inexpensive

fruition - realization of something desired or worked for; the condition of bearing fruit

fuddy-duddy - a person who is fussy or picayune about details

fulcrum - the point or support on which a lever pivots; an agent through which vital powers are exercised

fulminate - to issue a severe denunciation; to explode

functionary - one who holds an office or a trust or performs a particular function; an official

fundamentalism - a movement marked to rigid adherence to basic principles

furtive (furtively) - marked by stealth; surreptitious

futile - having no useful result

futility - having no useful result

galvanized - to arouse to awareness or action

gambit - a maneuver or ploy; a remark intended to open a conversation; a chess opening

gamut - a complete range or extent

garbology - study of waste materials; the study of a cultural group by an examination of what it discards

gargoyle - a roof spout in the form of a grotesque or fantastic creature

garish - marked by strident color or excessive ornamentation; gaudy

garner - to amass; acquire

gauche - lacking social polish; tactless

gauge - a means of estimating or evaluating; scale of measurement; a standard dimension, quantity or capacity; thickness or diameter

gaunt - thin and bonny; emaciated; bleak; desolate

gauntlet - a challenge to fight or complete; a protective glove; a form of punishment

genesis - the beginning - the origin of something

genetic - affecting or affected by genes; of or influenced by the origin or development of something

genocide - the systematic, planned extermination of an entire national, racial, political or ethnic group

genre - a type or class

gentrification (gentrify) - the restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by the middle classes often resulting in displacement of lower income people

germane - being both pertinent and fitting

gerrymander - to divide a geographic area into voting districts so as to give an unfair advantage to one party in elections

ghostwriter - one who writes for and gives credit of authorship to another

gigolo - a man supported financially by a woman in return for sexual favors; a professional male escort

ginormous - very large

God wink- good fortune - an answered prayer

Goth - a member of a Germanic people who invaded the Roman Empire in the early centuries of the Christian era

gradation - a series of gradual, successive stages; a degree or stage in such a progression; the act of arranging in grades

grail - the object of a prolonged endeavor; a legendary cup used at the last supper

grandeur - the quality of being grand; magnificence

grandiose - great in scope or intent; grand

gravitas - a serious or dignified demeanor; substance; weightiness

gravitate - to be attracted; to move in response to the fore of gravity

gregarious - sociable, seeking and enjoying the company of others

grift (grifter) - money made dishonestly, as in a swindle; a swindle or confidence game

gubernatorial - of or relating to the governor

guerrilla - a member of an irregular military force operating in occupied territory to harass and undermine the enemy

guile - treacherous; cunning; skillful deceit

gulag - a network of forced labor camps in the former Soviet Union, especially for political dissidents

gullible - easily deceived or duped

guru - a revered teacher or mentor; a recognized leader; Hinduism a personal spiritual teacher

haiku - an unrhymed Japanese poem having three lines of five, seven and five syllables

hallux - first digit on the foot; the big toe on the human foot, or first digit on the hind foot of some mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians

hang fire - to delay or wait; to be delayed

harbinger - one that indicates or foreshadows what is to come; forerunner

harbinger - forerunner; one that indicates or foreshadows what is to come

hark (harking) - to listen attentively; to return a previous point, as in narrative

harridan - a scolding, vicious woman

hauberks - a tunic of chain mail

hector - to intimidate in a blustering way; to bully or harass

hegemony - stronger group inflicting its self-serving ideas on a weaker group, while making the weaker group believe these ideas are awesome

heinous - grossly wicked or abominable

helix - a spiral form; a three demential curve that lies on a cylinder or cone, so that its angle is perpendicular to the axis is constant

hell-bent - Impetuously or recklessly determined to do or achieve something

helter skelter - in disorderly haste; confused; haphazardly; hurried and confused; turmoil

herald - one who claims important news; messenger; to proclaim; announce; one that gives a sign or indication of something to come

herd immunity - Immunity of a sufficient number of individuals in a population such that infection of one individual will not result in an epidemic

heresy - opinion or a doctrine at variance with established religious beliefs, especially dissension from or denial of Roman Catholic dogma by a professed believer or baptized church member

heretofore (here·to·fore) - until now; previously; before this; before this time

heritage - tradition; property that is or can be inherited; something passed down from preceding generations

hermetic (hermetically) - completely sealed, especially against the escape or entry of air; impervious to outside interference or influence

heuristic - of or constituting an educational method in which learning takes place through discoveries that result from investigations made by the student

hideous - repulsive, especially to the sight

hieroglyphic - of or being a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols represent meaning or sound or both

hodgepodge - a mixture of dissimilar ingredients; a jumble

hologram - the pattern produced on a photosensitive medium that has been exposed by holography and then photographically developed

homage - special honor or respect shown or expressed publicly;

homeopathic - system for treating disease based on the administration of minute doses of a drug that in massive amounts produces symptoms in healthy individuals similar to those of the disease itself

homophobic - aversion to gay or homosexual people

humdinger - one that is extraordinary

husbandry - farming; agriculture - careful management of resources; economy

hyperbole (hyperbolic) - a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect

hypocrisy - the professing of beliefs or virtues one does not possess

hypothesis (hypothesize) - a tentative explanation that accounts for a set of facts and can be tested by further investigation

hypothetical - of or based on hypothesis

i.e. - that is

icon - an image or representation; computer science, a picture on a screen that represents a specific command

iconic - of, relating to, or having the character of an icon

idealist - the practice of envisioning things in an ideal form; pursuit of one’s own ideals

idem - something mentioned previously

ideologue - an advocate of a particular ideology

ideology - the body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual group, class or culture; a system set of doctrines or beliefs

idiom (idiomatic) - an expression that can not be understood from the individual meanings of its elements; regional speech or dialect

idiosyncrasy - a structural or behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity

ignominy (ignominious) - personal dishonor or humiliation; shameful or disgraceful conduct

ignoramus - an ignorant person

ilk - type or king

illicit - unlawful; not permitted by custom or law

illusory - deceptive; produced by or based on an illusion

illustrate - to clarify, as by use of examples; to serve as instructive example; to provide with explanatory or decorative graphic features

imbue - to permeate or invade

immanent - restricted entirely to the mind - existing or remaining within; inherent

immerse - to cover completely in a liquid; submerge; to baptize by submerging in water; to engage wholly or deeply; absorb

immesh - a variant of the word enmeshed

imminent - about to occur

immune - resistant to infection by a specific pathogen

impair - to diminish in strength, value or quality; damage; make worse

impassioned - filled with passion; fervent

impeccable - having no flaws

impedes (impede) - to retard or obstruct the progress of

impediment - something that impedes; hindrance or obstruction; a speech defect preventing clear articulation

imperialism (imperialistic) - the policy of extending a nation’s authority by economic and political means over other nations

imperious - arrogantly domineering or overbearing; urgent; pressing

impertinent (impertinence) - not pertinent; imprudent; insolent; irrelevant

impervious - incapable of being penetrated, as by water; incapable of being affected

impetuous - impulsive; marked by sudden and forceful energy or emotion

impetus - stimulus; something that incites; impulse; an impelling force; the force or energy associated with a moving body

implement (implementation) - to put into effect; a tool or utensil

implemented - to put into effect

implicit - implied or understood though not directly expressed; contained in the nature of something though not readily apparent

importune - to beset with insistent requests

impresario - one who sponsors or produces entertainment, especially the director of an opera company

impropriety - an improper act or expression

impudent - brashly bold; insolent; impertinent

impugn (impugned) - to attack as false or questionable; challenge

impunity - exemption from punishment or penalty

in spite of - regardless; despite

inalienable - that cannot be transferred to another or others

inadmissible - that can not be accepted; not allowable; not worthy of admission as in evidence

inadvertent - marked by unintentional lack of care; not duly attentive

inane - lacking sense or substance

incantation - verbal charms or spells to produce a magic effect used in ritual recitation

incarnate - invested with bodily nature and form; to give bodily, especially human, form to; to personify; embody

incendiary - tending to inflame; inflammatory; producing intensely hot fire, as a military weapon; causing or capable of causing fire

incentive - something, such as punishment or reward, that induces action or inaction

incessant - continuing without interruption

incipient - beginning to exist or appear

incisive - penetrating; clear and sharp

inclination - a tendency or disposition toward something; a bend or tilt; an incline; slope

inclusion - contain; to have as a part, element or member

incomparable - beyond comparison; being such that comparison is impossible

incompetent - not competent

incomprehensible - impossible to understand; unintelligible

incongruent - not congruent

incongruous - inappropriate; lacking in harmony; incompatible; not in keeping with what is correct, proper or logical

inconsequential - lacking importance

incontrovertible - impossible to dispute, unquestionable

incredulous (incredulity) - skeptical; disbelieving; expressive of disbelief

increment (incremental) - the process of increasing; something added or gained, especially one of a series of regular usually small additions

incubus - an evil spirit believed to violate sleeping women; an oppressive nightmare; someone who depresses or worries others

incumbent - imposed as an obligation or duty; obligatory; lying, leaning or resting on something else; currently holding a specific office

incursion - a raid or invasion

indemnity (indemnify) - a legal exemption from liability from damages; security against damages

indicative - serving to indicate

indigenous - native; originating and living in an area or environment

indigent - impoverished; lacking the means of substance

indignation - anger aroused by something unjust or mean

indoctrinate (indoctrination) - to imbue with partisan point of view; to instruct in a body of a doctrine

indolent - disinclined to work, habitually lazy

inebriate (inebriated) - to make drunk; intoxicated

inequity - injustice; unfairness; an instance of unfairness

inert - chemistry not readily reactive with other elements; forming few or no chemical compounds

inertia - physics the tendency of a body to remain at rest or stay in motion unless acted on by an outside force

inevitable - impossible to avoid or present; predictable

inexorable (inexorably) - not capable of being persuaded by entreaty; relentless

inexplicably - impossible to explain or account for

infamous - having an exceedingly bad reputation

infamy - evil fame or reputation; the condition of being infamous

infer - to conclude from evidence or conclusion

inference - the act or the process of inferring

infidel - an unbeliever with respect to a particular religion, especially Christianity or Islam

infiltrate - to pass, enter or join gradually or surreptitiously; to pass or cause (a liquid or gas) to pass into

infinitesimal - immeasurably or incalculably small

inflection - alteration in pitch or tone of the voice; the paradigm of a word; a change of the form of a word in accordance with grammar, syntax or meaning

ingenue - a naive girl or young woman; an actress playing such a role

ingrate - an ungrateful person

ingratiate - to bring (oneself) into the favor or good graces of another, especially by deliberate effort

inherent - existing as an essential constituent or characteristic

injunction - a court order prohibiting or requiring a specific action; a command, directive or order

injurious - harmful; causing injury

innocuous - harmless; having no adverse effect; not likely to provoke strong emotion; insipid

innuendo - an indirect or subtle, usually derogatory insinuation

inoculate - to introduce a serum, vaccine or antigenic substance; to produce or boost immunity to a specific disease

insatiable - impossible to satiate or satisfy

insidious - working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy manner; intended to entrap; treacherous

insight (insightful) - the capacity to discern the true nature of a situation; penetration

insinuate - to introduce (for example a thought) gradually and insidiously; to introduce or insert by subtle and artful means

insipid - lacking flavor or zest; not tasty; lacking qualities that excite, stimulate, or interest; dull

insolent - disrespectfully arrogant; impertinent; rude

insular - isolated; of or constituting an island; narrow minded

insularity - narrow-minded; isolated; of or constituting an island

insurrection - the act or an instance of open revolt against civil authority or a constituted government

intangible - lacking physical substance; incapable of being perceived by the senses; incapable of being realized or defined

integral - essential or necessary for completeness; constituent; whole; entire; a complete unit; Mathematics expressed or expressible as or in terms of integers

integrity - steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code

intellectual property - any intangible asset that consists of human knowledge and ideas

intemperance (intemperate) - lack of temperance

interloper - one who interferes, meddler

interlude - an intervening episode, feature or period of time; entertainment between acts of a play; an inserted short piece of music

intermittent - stopping and starting at intervals

interpretive - marked by interpretation; explanatory

intonation - the act of intoning or chanting; an intoned utterance; a manner of producing or uttering tones, especially with regard to accuracy of pitch

intractable - difficult to manage or govern; stubborn

intransigent - uncompromising; refusing to moderate a position, especially an extreme one

intricate - having many complexly arraigned elements

intrinsic - inherent; relating to the essential nature of a thing

introspection - contemplation of ones own thoughts and feelings; self examination

introvert - one who thoughts and feelings are directed inward

intuitive - sharp insight; the faculty of knowing as if by instinct without conscious reasoning

inundated - to cover over with

invaluable - priceless; of inestimable value

invariably - constant; not changing or subject to change

invasive - tending to spread, especially into healthy tissue; of or engaging in armed aggression

invective - denunciatory or abusive language abusive expression or discourse; vituperation

inverse (inversely) - reverses in order, nature, effect or character; reverse

invidious - tending to rouse ill will or envy; containing or implying a slight

invigorate (invigorating) - to impart vigor or vitality; animate

invincible - unconquerable

iota - a very small amount; bit; the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet

irony (ironic) - the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning

irreconcilable - impossible to reconcile

irrefutable - impossible to refute or disprove

irresolute - unsure of how to act or proceed; undecided; lacking in resolution; indecisive

iterate (iteration) - repeat; to say or perform again

itinerary - a route or proposed route of a journey; an account or record of a journey

jabberwocky - an example of writing or speech consisting of or containing meaningless words

jackanapes - a conceited or impudent person

jaunty - having a buoyant or self confident air; dapper in appearance

je ne sais quois - a quality or attribute that is difficult to describe or express

jejune - not interesting; dull; lacking maturity; childish; lacking in nutrition

jobbernowl - a blockhead

jovial - jolly

judicious (judiciously) - having or exhibiting sound judgment

juggernaut - an overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path

juxtapose - to place side by side

keratin - a tough, insoluble protein substance that is the chief structural constituent of hair, nails, horns, and hooves

kilometer - a metric length equal to 1,000 meters

kilter - good condition; proper form

kindred - a group of related persons; being similar or related

kinesiology - study of the anatomy, physiology, & mechanics of body movement; evaluation & treatment of muscular imbalance or derangement

kowtow - to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in expression of deep respect, worship or submission

kudos - congratulations - acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement

laborious - marked by or requiring long, hard work; hard-working; industrious; tedious work

labyrinth - maze; an intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way

lackadaisical - lacking spirit, liveliness or interest

laconic - using few words, terse

lair - the den or dwelling of a wild animal

laissez-faire - (government hands off) free market economy

lambaste (lambasting) - to give a thrashing to; to scold sharply; berate

lament (lamenting) - to express grief for or about; mourn; to regret deeply

lampoon (lampooning) - a written attack ridiculing a person, group or institution

languid - lacking energy or vitality; weak; apathetic; listless; lacking force; slow

languish - to lose strength or vigor; to exist in miserable conditions; be neglected; to become downcast; pine; to affect a wistful or languid air

largesse - liberality in money or gifts bestowed, especially in a lofty or condescending manner; generosity of spirit or attitude

lascivious - lustful; lecherous; lewd; salacious

lassitude - a state of weariness, lethargy or listlessness

latent - present or potential but not evident or active

laud (laudable) (lauder) - to praise highly, praiseworthy; commendable

laudatory - expressing or conferring praise

laureate - one awarded a prize for great achievements especially in the arts or sciences

laurels (laurel)- honor and glory won for great achievement; referred to a a mark of honor; Mediterranean evergreen tree having aromatic leaves

lavish - extravagant; immoderate in giving; to give or bestow in abundance; shower

legacy - something handed down from an ancestor or predecessor; money or property bequeathed to another by will

legato - in a smooth, even style

lethality - causing or capable of causing death

lethargic - a state of sluggishness, inactivity and apathy

lethologica - psychological disorder that inhibits an individual's ability to articulate thoughts by temporarily forgetting key words, phrases or names in conversation

lexicon - a specialized vocabulary; a dictionary

liberal - open minded; tolerant; favoring civil and political liberties; democratic reforms and protection from arbitrary authority

libertarian - one who believes in freedom of action and thought

liberty - the condition of being free from restriction or control; the right to act or believe as one chooses

Licentiate - a person who receives a license or degree from a university to practice an art or profession

licentious - lacking moral; especially sexual restraint

lichen - a fungus that grows symbiotically with algae, resulting in a composite orgasm that forms a crustlike or branching growth on rocks or tree trunks

light-year - the distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year; approximately 5.88 trillion miles

linchpin - a central cohesive element; a locking pin inserted at the end of a shaft , as in an axle, to prevent a wheel from falling off

linear - of or resembling a line; straight

lipogram - writings that do not have a certain letter or letters are caller

lis pendens - law suit pending

litany - a repetitive recital; a prayer consisting of petitions recited by a leader alternating with responses by the congregation

litigate (litigation) - to engage in or subject to legal proceedings

litigious - tending to engage in lawsuits; of or marked by litigation

litmus - water-soluble blue powder derived from certain lichens that changes to red with increasing acidity and to blue with increasing basicity

liturgical - a prescribed form for public worship; the Christian Eucharist

livid (lividity) - extremely angry; discolored, as from a bruise; black and blue; ashen or pallid

loath - unwilling or reluctant

logistics - the procurement, distribution, maintenance and replacement of material and personal

lucid - easily understood; clear minded; rational

Luddite - one who opposes technical or technological change

ludicrous - laughable because of obvious absurdity or incongruity

lugubrious - mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree.

luminary - a notable person in a special field

lusk - lazy; slothful; a lazy fellow; a lubber; to be idle or unemployed

lust - an overwhelming desire or craving; intense eagerness or enthusiasm; to have an intense or obsessive desire, especially one that is sexual

macabre - suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome; ghastly

maceration - to soften or separate by soaking or steeping; to emaciate, usually by starvation

Machiavellian - politician doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing and maintaining power

machination (machinate) - a scheme or secret plot usually meant to achieve an evil end

magnanimous - generous and noble, especially in forgiving

maitre d' - a dining-room attendant who is in charge of the waiters and the seating of customers

majestic - having or displaying majesty or great dignity; grand; lofty

maladroit - marked by a lack of dexterity, clumsy; inept

malady - a disease, disorder or ailment

malaise - a vague feeling of illness or depression

malapert - impudently bold in speech or manner; an impudent, saucy person

malarkey - exaggerated or foolish talk, usually intended to deceive

maleficence (maleficent) - mischief; the doing of evil or harm; harmful or evil nature or quality

malevolent (malevolence) - having or exhibiting ill will; wishing harm to others; malicious; having an evil or harmful influence

malfeasance - law; misconduct or wrong doing, especially by a public official

malicious - a desire to harm others or to see others suffer; spite

malign (maligned) - to speak evil; defame; evil or harmful in influence or effect; injurious; often untrue statements; malevolent

malleable - pliable; capable of being shaped or formatted

Malthusian - of or relating to the economist Robert Malthus

mammalian (mammal) - of or relating to various warm blooded vertebrate animals including human beings

mandate - an authorization to act given to a representative of the people

maneuver - a movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity

maniac (maniacal) - an insane person; one with excessive enthusiasm for something

manifest (manifested) - clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious

manifestation - an indication of existence or presence of something

manifesto - a public declaration of principles or intentions, especially political ones

manipulate - to operate or control by skilled use of the hands handle; to influence or manage shrewdly or deviously

mantra - a sacred verbal formula repeated in prayer, meditation or incarnation

manuscript - a typewritten or hand written version of a text prepared and submitted for publication

maraud (marauder) (marauding)- to rove in search of plunder; to raid or pillage for spoils; a sudden short attack

marginalize - to relegate or confine to a lower or outer limit or edge, as of social standing

marshaling - to place or set in position or order; usher; to guide ceremoniously

marsupial - any of an order of mammals including, kangaroos found especially in Australia or Americas marked by an abdominal pouch in the female

masticate - to grind and pulverize food inside the mouth, using the teeth and jaws; grind to pulp: to grind or crush something until it turns to pulp

matriarch - a woman who rules a family, clan, or tribe; a woman who dominates a group or an activity; A highly respected woman who is a mother

matriculate - to admit or be admitted into a group, especially a college or university

matrix - a situation or surrounding substance within which something else originates, develops or contains

maturation - the process of becoming mature or ripening

maudlin - foolishly sentimental

maven - an expert

Mayan calendar - a system of distinct calendars and almanacs used by the Mayan civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and by some in Guatemala

meditate - to reflect on; contemplate

melancholy - sadness; depression; pensive reflection; gloomy; sad

mellifluous - flowing in a smooth or sweet manner

melodious - tuneful; agreeable to hear

memoir(s) - an account of the personal experiences of an author; an autobiography; often used in the plural; memory or a reminiscence

mendacious (mendacity) - dishonest; lying; untruthful; false; untrue

mendicant - depending on alms for a living; a beggar, a friar

mens rea - (law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials

Mensa - an international society, membership of which is restricted to people whose intelligence test scores exceed those expected of 98 per cent of the population

mercurial - volatile; quick and changeable in temperament; containing or caused by the element mercury

meretricious - attracting attention in a vulgar manner; based on pretense, deception, or insincerity

meritorious - deserving reward or praise; having merit

mesmerize (mesmerizing) - to hypnotize

messiah (messianic) - the anticipated deliverer and king of the Jews; an expected savior or liberator

metamorphous - geology changed in structure or composition as a result of metamorphism

metaphor - a figure of speech in which a word or phrase ordinarily used to designate one thing is used to designate another

metaphysical - based on speculative or abstract reasoning

metaphysics - the nature of reality and the relationship between mind and matter

metastasize - the spreading of a disease from an original site to one or more sites elsewhere in the body

metathesis - double decomposition; the transposition of two letters, sounds, or syllables in a word

method (methodical) - a systematic means or manner of procedure; orderly arrangement of parts or steps to accomplish an end

meticulous - extremely or excessively careful and precise

metric (metric) - relating to the meter or the metric system; a system to follow; the study of a poetic meter; prosody

metrics - the study of poetic meter; prosody

mettle - courage and fortitude; spirit: troops who showed their mettle in combat;. inherent quality of character and temperament

microcosm - a small, representative system having analogies to larger system in constitution, configuration or development

milquetoast - one who has a timid unassertive nature

minaret - a tall slender tower on a mosque

minion - an obsequious follower or dependent

minutia - a small or trivial detail

Miranda rights - the police must advise suspects of their right to remain silent, their right to an attorney, and the right to an appointed attorney

misandry - hatred of men or boys

misanthrope (misanthropy) - one who hates or mistrusts humankind

mishmash - a collection or mixture of unrelated things; a hodgepodge

misnomer - a wrong or inappropriate name

misogamy - the hatred of marriage

misogyny (misogynist) (misogynistic) - hatred of woman

mitigate - to make or become less in force or intensity; moderate

modicum - a small, moderate, or token amount

modulate - to regulate or temper; to change or vary the pitch, intensity or tone; electronics to vary frequency amplitude or phase

modus operandi (MO) - a method of operating or functioning; a person's manner of working or grandeur

mogul - a rich or powerful person; a hard mound or bump on a ski slope

monastic - strictly disciplined as a characteristic of life in a monastery or convent

moniker - a nickname; slang

monopoly (monopolistic) - one seller, many buyers; exclusive control or ownership as a commodity or service

monopsony - one buyer, many sellers

monstrosity - the largest or most massive thing of its kind; the state or quality of being monstrous; something hideous or frightful

montage - a rapid secession of scenes or images, as in a movie, that exhibits different aspects of the same idea or situation

mooncalf - a born fool; dolt; freak; a person who idles time away; obsolete a freak or monster

morass - a difficult, perplexing, or overwhelming situation

morose - sullenly melancholy; gloomy

morph - to transform (an image) by computer

morpheme - linguistics; a linguistic unit that has meaning and can not be divided into smaller parts

mosaic - a picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces of stone, glass or tile into a surface

motif - pattern; a recurrent thematic element in a musical, artistic or literary work

mull (mulling) - to ponder or ruminate; to heat and spice

mullah - a male religious teacher or leader especially one trained in law; used as a form of address for such a man

mutation - a change, as in nature, form, or quality; any heritable alteration of an organism

myopic - shortsightedness in thinking or planing

myriad - constituting a very large, indefinite number, a vast number

naive - lacking worldly experience and understanding, unsuspecting or credulous

namby-pamby - insipid and sentimental; lacking vigor or decisiveness; spineless; one that is insipid, sentimental, or weak

nanosecond - one billionth of a second

narcissism (narcissistic) - excessive love for one’s self

narrative - a narrated account; story; the act or process of narrative

nationalism - devotion to the interests or culture of a particular nation; aspirations for national independence

nativism - sociopolitical policy, especially in the U S in the 19th century, favoring the interests of established inhabitants over those of immigrants

nave - the central part of a church

nebbish - a person regarded as weak-willed or timid person

nebula - a diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas

nebulous - vague; cloudy, misty or hazy; lacking definite form or limits

nefarious - extremely wicked or villainous

negative option - business practice in which goods or services are provided automatically, and the customer must either pay or cancel

neo (prefix) - new form or a revival

neocons - new conservatives

Neolithic - of or relating to the cultural period of the Stone Age beginning around 10,000 b.c. in the Middle East and later elsewhere

neophyte - a recent convert to a belief; a proselyte; a beginner or novice

Neosocialism (neo-socialism)- term used to describe any one of a wide variety of left-wing political movements that are considered socialist and have developed recently

nepotism - favoritism shown or patronage granted to relatives

nescient - ignorance; uneducated in general; lacking knowledge, awareness or sophistication

neuralgia (neuralgic) - intense pain extending along a nerve

neuron - any of the cells that make up the nervous system

neurosis (neurotic) - any of a various mental or emotional disorders, such as hypochondria, not due to any organic cause

neutralize - to render ineffective; to make neutral

nexus - a means of connection; link or tie; the core or center

niche - a focused, targeted portion (subset) of a market sector

nihilism - a doctrine holding that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated;

nihilist - the belief that destruction of political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement

nimiety - a quantity much larger than is needed; superfluity; excess

nimrod - a person regarded as silly, foolish, or stupid; a person who is dedicated to or skilled in hunting

ninnyhammer - a fool or simpleton

nirvana - the ineffable ultimate in which one has attained disinterested wisdom and compassion; an ideal condition of harmony, stability or joy

nitpick - to criticize by focusing on inconsequential details

nitwit - a slow-witted, stupid, or foolish person

nixie - a nixie tube is an electronic device for displaying numerals or other information

nocturnal - of or occurring at night; most active at night

nomenclature - a system of names used in an art or science

nonchalant - seeming to be coolly unconcerned or indifferent

nostrum - a quack medicine or remedy

notion - a belief or opinion; an idea or conception; a fanciful impulse; whim

notorious - known widely and usually unfavorably; infamous

nuance - a subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning or feeling, gradation

nuisance - one that is inconvenient, annoying or vexatious; bother

obfuscate (obfuscation) - to make so confused as to be difficult to understand; to render indistinct or dim

obligatory - morally or legally biding; compulsory

oblique - a slanting or sloping; indirect or evasive; mathematics neither parallel nor perpendicular

obsequious - full of or exhibiting servile compliance

obstreperous - noisily and stubbornly defiant

obtuse - lacking quickness of perception or intellect; not sharp; blunt

ode - a lyric poem, often in the form of an address and having an elevated style and formal structure

odious - arousing strong dislike or intense displeasure

oligopoly - a few sellers, many buyers; sellers are so few that the actions of any one of them will materially affect price and have a measurable impact on competitors

oligopsony - a few buyers, many sellers

omen - a sign of future good or evil

ominous - menacing; threatening; evil

omnibus - covering many things or classes

omnipotent - having unlimited power, authority or force

omnipresent - present everywhere

omniscient - having total knowledge, knowing everything

omnivore - eating both animal and vegetable foods; taking in everything available

oncology - the scientific study of tumors

onerous - troublesome or oppressive, burdensome

onomatomania - an obsession with particular words or names and desire to recall or repeat them

onomatopoeia - the formation or use of words such as buzz murmur that imitate sounds associated with the object or actions they refer to

onus - a burden; blame

opaque - impenetrable by light; dull; obtuse; dense

operative (operatives) - being in effect; having force; functioning effectively; a skilled worker; a spy; a private detective

opiate - something that dulls the senses and induced relaxation; inducing sleep or sedation; a narcotic containing optimum or a derivative

opine - to hold or state as an opinion

opinion - a belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by proof; a judgment based on special knowledge

opulent (opulence) - possessing great wealth

oracle - a wise person; a shrine consecrated to a prophetic deity; a priest, priestess or a prophecy at such a shrine;

orthopedics - the branch of medicine that deals with injuries or disorders of the skeletal system

Orwellian - of or relating to a totalitarian state in which citizens' activities are tightly controlled: evocative of the works of George Orwell, 1984

osmosis - a gradual process of assimilation or absorption; diffusion of fluid through a semipermeable membrane

ossify (ossification) - to be set in a rigidly conventional pattern; to change into bone

ostensible (ostensibly) - apparent; represented or appearing as such

ostentatious - pretentious; showy; marked by a vulgar display of wealth and success designed to impress people

osteopathy (osteopath) - a system that emphasizes manipulation especially of the bones for treating disease

ostracize - to banish or exclude from a large group

otiose - not effective; with no useful result or practical purpose; lazy; unwilling or uninterested in working or being active

outlandish - conspicuously unconventional; bizarre; strikingly unfamiliar

outrageous - grossly offensive; beyond the bounds of good taste

overseeing - to watch over and direct; to examine or inspect

oversight - an unintentional omission or mistake

overt (overtly) - open and observable; not concealed

oxymoron - when contradictory terms are combined

ozone - a blue gaseous allotrope of oxygen, O3, formed naturally from diatomic oxygen by electric discharge; fresh pure air

palatable - acceptable to the mind or sensibilities; agreeable to the taste

palatial - of or suitable for a palace; as in spaciousness or ornateness

palindrome - a word, phrase, verse or sentence that reads the same backwards or forwards

palliate (palliative) - to soothe without curing; to make seem less serious; extenuate; to mitigate

palpable - tangible; capable of being felt or touched; easily perceived; obvious

palter - to talk or act insincerely or deceitfully

paltry - lacking in importance or worth; trivial; wretched or contemptible

panacea - cure-all; a remedy for all diseases, evils or difficulties

pander - to cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses; to act as a go between or liaison in sexual intrigues

pandemic - epidemic over a widespread geographic areas

pandemonium - wild uproar or noise;

pander (pandering) - to act as a go between; to cater to the lower taste and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses

Pandora's box - the large jar carried by Pandora that unleashed many evils on mankind; ills, toils and sickness and hope

pantheon - a temple dedicated to all gods of all the people; a public building commemorating and dedicated to the heroes and heroines of a nation

paper tiger - one who is outwardly strong and powerful but is in fact powerless and ineffectual

para legal - relating or being a person with specialized training who assists an attorney

paradigm - an example that serves as a pattern or a model

paradox (paradoxically) - a seemingly contradictory statements that may nonetheless be true

paragon - a model of excellence or perfection

paramedic - a person who is trained to give emergency medical treatment or to assist physicians in providing medical care

paramount - of chief concern or importance

paranoid - a psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution

paranormal - beyond the range of normal experience or scientific explanation

parapet - a low protective wall or railing along the edge of a raised structure such as a roof or balcony; an earthen or stone embankment

paraphrase - a restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify a meaning

parasite - an organism that grows and feeds on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of the host

paraskevidekatriaphobia - the unnatural fear of Friday the 13th

parenthetical (parenthetically) - set off within or as if within parentheses; qualifying or explanatory

parlay - a bet comprising the sum of a prior wager plus its winnings or a series of bets made in such a manner, let it ride

parochial - narrowly restricted in scope or outlook; provincial; of, supported by or located in a parish; local

parse - in computer science to analyze or separate into more easily processed components grammatical description of a word

participatory - to take part or share in something

participle - a form of a verb that can function independently as an adjective and is used with an auxiliary verb to indicate tense

partisan - a strong supporter of a party, cause or faction, person or idea

passé - no longer current or in fashion; out-of-date; past the prime; faded or aged

passion - a powerful emotion such as love or anger; boundless enthusiasm

pate - the human head, especially the top of the head

pathetic - arousing sympathetic sadness and compassion; arousing scornful pity

pathology (pathologist)- the scientific study of the nature of disease; the anatomic or functional manifestations of a disease

patriarch - a man who rules a family, clan or tribe; old, venerable man; an elder; the oldest member of a group

patronize (patronizing) - to act as a patron to; to go to as a customer, especially on a regular basis; to treat in condescending manner

pawky - shrewd and cunning

peculiar - unusual or eccentric

pedagogy (pedagogical) - the study of being a teacher; the term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction

pedantic (pedantically) - marked by a narrow, ostentatious concern for book learning and formal rules

peevish - querulous or discontented; ill-tempered

pejorative - tending to make or become worse - disparaging, belittling

pellucid - clear in meaning; easy to understand or clear in meaning

penchant - a definite liking; strong inclination

pensive - deeply, often wistfully or dreamily thoughtful

pentameter - a line of verse composed of five metrical feet; (for example: iambic pentameter)

penultimate - next to last

peptide - any of various natural or synthetic compounds consisting of two or more amino acids linked end to end

per diem - per day; pay per day; an allowance for daily expenses

per se - in or by itself or oneself; as such

perceive (perceived) - to become aware through senses; to achieve understanding of; apprehend

perception - the process, act or result of perceiving; insight or knowledge gained by perceiving the capacity for such insight

perennial - enduring; lasting through the year or many years; lasting indefinitely

perfidious - deliberate breach of faith; treachery

perfidy - treacherous; deliberate breach of faith

perfunctory - done routinely and with little interest or care; acting with indifference; showing little interest or care

perigee - the point nearest the earth’s center in the orbit of the moon or a satellite

perilous - danger; something that endangers or involves risk

peripheral - of or on an outer boundary, sides or periphery; of minor relevance or importance; an auxiliary device

periphery - a line that forms the boundary of an area; a zone constituting an imprecise boundary

perjorative - disparaging; belittling

perjurious (perjury) - the deliberate, willful giving of false, misleading, or incomplete testimony under oath

permeate (permeated) - to spread or flow through; pervade; to pass through openings or small gaps of

pernicious - deadly; destructive

perpetrate - to be guilty of or responsible for; commit; bring about

perpetual (perpetuate) - lasting for eternity or an indefinitely long time; to prolong the existence

perpetuity - always; the quality or condition of being perpetual

perplex (perplexed) - to confuse or puzzle; bewilder

persecute - to oppress or harass with ill treatment, especially because of race, religion or beliefs; to annoy persistently

perseverate - repeat a response after the cessation of the original stimulus

persona non grata - unacceptable or unwelcome, especially to a foreign government

persona - one’s public image or personality; a voice or character representing the speaker or narrator in a literary work

personification - giving of physical or human characteristics to ideas, thoughts or inanimate objects

personify (personified) - to be the embodiment or perfect example of; to think of or represent as a person

perspicacious - having keen mental perception and understanding; discerning; acuteness of perception or understanding

perspicuous (perspicuously) (perspicuity) - clearly expressed or presented; easy to understand; lucid

pertinent - relevant; relating to a specific matter

peruse - to read or examine, especially with great care

pervade (pervading) (pervasive) - to spread throughout; permeate

perverse (perversely) - directed away from what is right or good; perverted; obstinately persisting in an error or fault

perversion - the act of perverting or the state of being perverted; a sexual practice considered deviant

pestiferous - annoying; troublesome or annoying; corrupting: evil and corrupting (formal); causing infectious disease

pettifogger - one who raises annoying petty objections

petulant (petulance) - unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish

phalanx - any of the bones of the fingers or toes; any closely ranked crowd of people; a body of troops in close array

Phenom - a remarkable or outstanding person in his or her field; a phenomenon

philanthropic - humanitarian; providing charitable assistance

philanthropy - the effort to increase the well-being of humankind as by charitable donations; love of humankind

phloem - the food conducting tissue of vascular plants

phrontistery - an establishment for study and learning

picayune - of little value or importance; paltry; petty; mean

pied-à-terre - lodging for occasional or secondary use; structures collectively in which people are housed

piety - devotion and reverence, especially to God and family

pillage - plunder; to rob of goods by force

pillar (pillared) - a slender, freestanding, vertical support; column; one occupying or responsible position

pillory (pilloried) - wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, in which offenders were exposed to ridicule, abuse and public scorn for punishment

pinnacle - the highest point; acme

pithy - precise and meaningful

pivotal (pivot)- to turn or cause to turn; one that determines the direction of something; a short rod or shaft on which a related part rotates or swings

placate - appease; to ally the anger of

placebo - a substance containing no medication, administer for its psychological effect on a patient

plagiarize - to use and pass off as one’s own

plateau - an elevated, level expanse of land; a stable level, period or state

platitude - a trite remark or idea; cliche

plausible - apparently true or likely; believable

plebiscite - a direct vote by the entire electorate on an important issue

plethora - a superabundance; excess

plunder (plundering) - pillage; to rob of goods by force, especially in time of war; property stolen by fraud or force; steal

pogrom - an organized massacre of a minority group, especially Jews

poignant - profoundly moving, touching; keenly distressing to the mind or feelings

polarize (polarizing) - to impart polarity; to acquire polarity; to cause to concentrate about two conflicting position

polarizing - to cause to concentrate about two conflicting positions

politically correct (PC) - begun in the 1970’s as term of speaking to minimize offensive language to any perceived minority often at the expense to the majority

politics - the art or science of government or governing

poltergeist - a ghost that reveals its presence by making noises or throwing objects

poltroon - characterized by complete cowardliness

polygamy (polygamist) - the condition or practice of having more than one spouse at a time

polyglot - one with a speaking, reading or writing knowledge of several languages

polygon - a closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments

polymath - a person of great or varied learning

pompous (pomposity) - self important; pretentious; marked by pomp or stately display

ponder - to weigh carefully in the mind; to reflect on; meditate

pontificate - to express opinions or judgments in a dogmatic way

popinjay - a vain and talkative person

populism (populist) - a political philosophy opposing the concentration of power in the hands of corporations, the government and the rich

portend - to indicate; to forecast; to serve as an omen or warning of

portent - an indication of something about to occur; omen; something amazing or marvelous; prodigy

portico - a porch or a walkway with a roof supported by columns, often leading to the entrance of a building

posse - a group of people summoned for a cause or purpose, often by a sheriff for law enforcement

post haste - rapidly; with great speed

posthumous - occurring or continuing after one’s death

postulate - to assume or assert the truth or reality of, especially as the basis of an argument; something assumed without proof

posturing - a frame of mind affecting one's thoughts or behavior; an overall attitude; attitudinize; a stance with regard to something

potable (potability) - fit to drink; A beverage, especially an alcoholic beverage

potentate - one who has the power and position to rule over others; monarch

potential - capable of being but not you in existence; capacity for growth, development

pragmatic - concerned with facts or actual events; practical

pragmatist - a practical, matter of fact way of approaching or assessing situations or of solving problems

pre-eminent - superior to all others; outstanding

precarious (precariously) - dangerously lacking in stability

precedence - the fact, state, or right of preceding priority

precedent - an act or an instance that may be used as an example in dealing with later similar instances

precipice - an overhanging or extremely steep cliff; the steep sheer face of a cliff or crag; the brink of a dangerous situation

precipitate - to cause to happen, especially suddenly or prematurely

precipitous (precipitously) - extremely steep; resembling a precipice

preclude (precluded) - to make impossible, as by action taken in advance; prevent; to exclude or prevent

precursor - one that precedes and indicates, suggests, or announces someone or something to come; forerunner or predecessor

predatory - living by preying on other organisms; of or marked by plundering or marauding

predicate (predicated) - to base or establish; to affirm as an attribute or quality; grammar: the part of a sentence or clause, including the verb, that expresses what the subject is or does

predilection - a disposition in favor of something; preference

predisposed - to make someone inclined to something in advance

preeminent - superior to all others; outstanding

pre-empt (pre-emptive) - to appropriate or seize for oneself before others

preference (preferential) - the exercise of choice; one so chosen; the state of being preferred

prejudice - an adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand without knowledge of the fact; irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group

premier - first in status or importance

premonition - a presentment of the future; foreboding; an advanced warning; forewarning

preponderate (preponderance) - to be greater than something else, as in power, weight or importance

preposterous - absurd; contrary to reason or common sense

prerequisite - required as a prior condition

prerogative - an exclusive right or privilege

prescient - knowledge of actions or events before they occur

prestidigitation - sleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation ("quick fingers") or légèreté des mains

prestigious - prominence, honor or distinction; the level of respect at which one is regarded by others

pretense - a false appearance or action intended to deceive

pretentious - claiming or demanding distinction or merit, especially when unjustified

pretext - excuse; an ostensible or professed purpose

prey tell - expressing incredulity, please explain

principal - first or foremost in importance; chief; a sum of money owed as a debt upon which interest is calculated

principle - a basic truth or law or assumption; a rule or standard, especially of good behavior

pristine - remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted; of or typically of the earliest time or condition; primitive or original

privation - lack of basic necessities or comforts of life; the condition resulting from such lack

Pro Se (In Pro Per) - meaning "for self", that is applied to someone who represents himself or herself without a lawyer in a court proceeding

pro bono - done without compensation

procacity - forwardness; pertness; petulance

proclivity - inclined; a natural propensity or inclination

prodigal - rashly or wastefully extravagant

prodigious - impressively great in size, force or extent; enormous

prodigy - a person with exceptional talents or powers

proficient (proficiency) - expert in art, vocation or area of learning

profligate - given over to immorality; dissolute; recklessly wasteful; extravagant

profound - extending to or coming from a great depth; deep; far reaching

profuse (profusely) - plentiful; copious; giving or given freely and abundantly; extravagant

prognosis - a prediction, especially of the probable course and outcome of a disease

prognosticate - foretell; to predict according to present indications or signs

prohibitive - forbidding; so high or burdensome as to discourage purchase or use; so likely to win as to discourage competition

proliferate (proliferation) - to increase or spread; to grow or multiply y rapidly producing new parts, cells or offspring

prolific - producing abundant works or results; producing offspring or fruit in abundance

promulgate (promulgated) - to make known for example, a decree by public declaration. to put (a law) into effect; declare something officially

propagate - to cause a move in some direction or through a medium; to reproduce or cause to reproduce; breed; to make known; publicize

propensity - tendency; an innate inclination

prophetic - characteristics of a prophet or prophecy

proprietary - exclusively owned by a private individual or corporation under a trademark or patent of or benefiting proprietor; private

prosecutorial - of, relating to, or concerned with prosecution

proselytize - to convert from one belief or faith to another

prosody - the study of the metrical structure of verse

prospective - likely to happen or become

protagonist - the main character in a drama or other literary work; a leading principal figure

protégé - one whose welfare, training or career is promoted by an influential person

protocol - a code of correct conduct; a set of standardized procedures

protract (protracted) - to draw out or lengthen; prolong

protuberance - something, such as a bulge, knob or swelling, that protrudes

provenance - place of origin

proverb (proverbial) - a short pithy saying in widespread use that expresses a basic truth or practical precept

provincial - limited in perspective, narrow and self centered; of or relating to a province

provisional - provided or serving only for the time being

provocation - the act of provoking or inciting; something that provokes

provocative - tending to provoke

provost - a high administrative officer, as of a university; superintendent

prowess - superior skill or ability; superior strength and courage, especially in battle

prudent - wise in practical matters; careful for one’s own interests; circumspect

prurient - appealing to or arousing immoderate sexual desire

psychodrama - psychotherapeutic technique in which people are assigned roles to be played spontaneously within a dramatic context devised by a therapist in order to understand the behavior of people with whom they have difficult interactions

psychogenetic - development of a medical disorder or illness resulting from psychological rather than physiological factors

psychopath - a person with an antisocial personality disorder, especially one manifested in aggressive, perverted or criminal behavior

psychosis (psychotic) - a mental disorder marked by derangement of personality; loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning

psychosomatic - influence of the mind on the body; a disorder having physical symptoms but originating from mental or emotional causes

puffery - an exaggerated statement based on opinion not fact; flattering, often exaggerated praise publicly

puffing - to publicize with exaggerated praise; embellish; a swelling or rounded protuberance; a short forceful discharge

pugnacious - having a quarrelsome or combative nature; truculent; belligerent; eager or quick to quarrel or fight

pulverize - to reduce or be reduced to a powder or dust

pummel - to beat as with the fists

pundit - a learned person - authority

pungent - biting or caustic

punitive - inflicting or aiming to inflict punishment

purgative - tending to cleanse or purge especially causing evacuation of the bowels

purge - to remove unwanted accumulations; to remove people considered by the group in power to be undesirable

purloin - steal; to commit theft

purport (purportedly) - supposedly, believed or reputed to be the case

purveyor - to supply

purview - extent or range of function or vision, power, or competence; comprehension, or experience; outlook; law: the body, scope, or limit of a statute

puzzlewit - one who is puzzled; a stupid or silly person

quagmire - a difficult or precarious situation; land with a soft muddy surface

quandary - a state of uncertainty or perplexity

quarantine - a condition of enforced isolation

quarry - an open excavation pit; an object of pursuit; a hunted animal; prey

quibble - to raise trivial distinctions and objections, especially as to avoid an issue

Quid Pro Quo - Latin meaning "something for something"; indicates a more-or-less equal exchange or substitution of goods or services

quidnunc - a nosy person; a busybody

quintessential - the purest or most typical instance; the purest most essential element of a thing

quisling - a traitor who serves as a puppet of the enemy occupying his or her country

quixotic - idealistic or romantic without regard to practicality; foolishly impractical; also, capricious, impulsive

quota - a proportional share; allotment; the maximum number allowed

rabid - extremely zealous; raging; uncontrollable; of or affected by rabies

rainforest - lush forest, generally composed of tall, broad-leaved trees and usually found in wet tropical regions around the Equator

ramification - to have complicating consequences

rampant - growing or spreading unchecked

rancor - bitter long lasting resentment

random - having no specific pattern or purpose; statistics of or relating to equal probability of selection or occurrence

rapscallion - one who is playfully mischievous; a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

rapture - a state of ecstasy

rarefied - esoteric; of or reserved for a small, select group